After saying goodbye to Reiji-kun and Shizuku-san, I returned to my room to get ready.
Since I planned on playing in the river, I packed a swimsuit, a towel, a change of clothes, and some insect repellent. The front desk would hold onto our valuables and room key, so I only needed a small amount of cash.
I changed into my outdoor clothes, slipped my phone into my pocket, and waited for Umi, who should be back any minute…
"What should I do about this?"
I hesitated, staring at the item that had been lurking in my bag since yesterday—opened but unused.
I don't think I'll need it today since we're just going out to have fun, but I can't just leave it in the room. More importantly, I don't know what excuse I'd make if Riku-san saw it when he comes back later.
"…Well, I guess I'll just let it sleep in my bag for now."
The only person who might check my bag is Umi, and if she finds it, 'I forgot it was in there from yesterday' should be a good enough excuse. I nodded to myself in agreement and buried it deep within my bag again. Just then, Umi returned to the room.
"Umi, welcome back. Looks like nothing happened."
"I'm back, Maki. Well, I was too busy to fight, and with relatives around, we couldn't get into our usual squabbles. More importantly, were you okay, Maki? You were lonely without me, weren't you?"
"Nah, I was just playing games with Reiji-kun until a moment ago, so not really… Hey, Umi-san, don't pinch my side without a word."
"…I was lonely without you, Maki. That's not fair."
It seemed Mizore-san and Sora-san had also been busy with their own work and hadn't paid her much attention. Pouting and pinching me, Umi clinging to me was incredibly cute. I endured the sharp pain in my side and held her for a while. It takes a little time, but I'm grateful that she'll cheer up if I just stay like this without saying anything.
I'm a pushover, but Umi is just as much of one as I am.
"Umi, it's almost lunchtime. What do you want to do? The inn can prepare a bento for us if we pay for it."
"Hmm~ since we're here, let's just eat out while we're having fun. We only saw the town from the car yesterday and didn't get to look around much."
"Alright. Then, let's get something to eat first."
"Yup."
Holding hands with a now cheerful Umi, we headed to the front desk to drop off the room key, where Shizuku-san greeted us.
"Oh, are you two going on a date now?"
"Well, something like that. More importantly, Shizuku-san, thank you for earlier."
"No, no, thank you. Reiji seemed to have fun playing with someone after a long time… He still hasn't gotten used to his new kindergarten yet."
He didn't seem that way when he was playing with me, but I guess his shyness comes out when he's outside. His being a homebody is just like me when I was little.
"Oh, right. It's a long walk to the town center, so you two can use our bikes. They're not electric, but they have gears, so hills are a breeze."
"Are you sure? Hey Maki, let's use them since she's offering. We can save time on travel."
"Hmm…"
Come to think of it, the opportunity to ride bikes together is rare, and it's overwhelmingly easier than walking, so maybe we should take her up on her offer. We're also planning to play in the river later, so it's better to conserve as much energy as possible.
"…Alright. Then, we'll humbly accept your offer."
"It's settled then. Here, this is the key. The bikes are in the shed next to the parking lot, so please return them there when you're done. Well then, have a good time."
"Yes. We're off."
After we both thanked Shizuku-san, we each got on a bike and started pedaling down the slope toward town. I wonder if they use these for work sometimes. The small plate in the basket with 'Shimizu' written on it bothered me a little, but I'm grateful just to be able to use them. They're well-maintained, and the pedals turn smoothly.
"Hey Maki," Umi called out as we rode. "I kept quiet earlier to see how things were, but did you talk to Shizuku-san about anything while I was gone? About Reiji-kun and all that."
"Yeah. I'll tell you about it later, Umi, but well, it just happened."
Especially the part where Shizuku-san blurted out, "──Because, you see, I already confessed to Riku-kun once and got rejected."
If what Shizuku-san said is true, then the root of their complicated relationship lies with Riku-san.
…I know we're meddling where we shouldn't. But still, I want them to talk properly and come to a conclusion they're both satisfied with. Even if they end up as 'just childhood friends', it must be lonely for them to drift apart with misunderstood feelings.
We decided to report and discuss what happened this morning later, and for now, Umi and I focused on exploring the town. It was the middle of a holiday lunchtime, so the main street was reasonably bustling with tourists. With the humid rainy season, shops selling cold treats like shaved ice and ice cream were prominent.
"Ah, Maki, look over there. They have whole fruit shaved ice."
"You're right. They seem to have light meals too, so shall we go there?"
After parking our bikes at a nearby paid lot, we entered the most crowded shop on the street.
Looking at the menu, it seemed they served frozen fruit shaved as is—strawberries, muscat grapes, melons, mangoes, and so on. It was pretty expensive, but seeing how deliciously other people were eating, the taste had to be good. However, maybe because they were aiming for social media appeal, the portions were quite large, so we decided to share one to avoid upsetting our stomachs. We also ordered a hamburger and a sandwich set.
"Whoa~ so this is the whole strawberry shaved ice… It looks a bit different from what I imagined, but it smells completely like strawberries."
I drizzled condensed milk on top and took a bite. The fluffy texture and the sweet and sour flavor of strawberries filled my mouth. They seemed particular about the type of strawberries they used, as it tasted a world apart from the usual shaved ice. I like the cheap syrup where the only difference is the fragrance and coloring, but it's not bad to indulge like this once in a while.
"Maki, this part has a lot of condensed milk and looks sweet. Here, say 'ah~n'."
"Mm… Yeah, it's sweet and delicious. Here, you have some from this side, Umi."
"Ah~… Mm. Mmm, this side is delicious too. Thanks, Maki."
"You're welcome."
Even though we're at a corner seat, being this openly lovey-dovey makes me feel the stares from those around us. But, having overcome the soft-serve ice cream incident yesterday, this is nothing to us anymore. It's been half a year since Umi and I became a couple, but it still feels like we just started dating.
While eating the shaved ice, we also finished the light meal that came later. After this, we'll continue to look around town to digest, and then, finally, head to the river on the outskirts. But before that, I told Umi what happened this morning. About yesterday, about Reiji-kun, and about what happened between Shizuku-san and Riku-san.
"Seriously…? Shizuku-san, to that big bro of mine… Some people have strange tastes."
"Umi-san, are you one to talk…? Well, Riku-san did have a time when he worked seriously. He's just a bit lazy now."
"He's too lazy. He's healthy now, so he needs to get his act together in both his work and private life soon. Dad and Mom are worried too."
Umi's strictness with Riku-san is probably the flip side of her concern. I can't help but think that if Shizuku-san were by Riku-san's side as his girlfriend, the current situation would be different.
Why did Riku-san reject Shizuku-san's confession?
Having finished sharing information with Umi, we left the main street and climbed a gentle mountain road for a while, heading upstream where clean water was said to flow. It's a hidden spot that few people other than locals visit, so there are hardly any cars or people around. In fact, it feels like we're really going into the bushes. Some parts looked like they'd been cleared by hand… compared to yesterday's foot path, this felt much more like untouched nature.
"Alright, we've arrived at the entrance," Umi announced. "We'll walk for about ten minutes from here, so hang in there a little longer. I've prepared a proper reward for you."
"A reward… well, I'll look forward to it."
After parking our bikes in an inconspicuous place so as not to obstruct traffic, we followed the river towards our destination.
"How nostalgic~… It's been a while since I've been here, but it hasn't changed at all from what I remembered."
"Oh. But Umi, this path is pretty steep. You didn't explore it alone, did you? You said it's been a few years, so it must have been since elementary school."
"Of course not. I came with Dad, and then with big bro. In the summer, it seems most of the kids living here came to play. Splashing in the water, building secret bases, getting carried away and falling, getting hurt and scolded."
"So, it's a place of memories for the Asanagi family."
"Now that you mention it, that might be the case."
The fact that she's guiding me to such a place… does that mean I've become that important to Umi? If so, I'm very happy and fortunate, but if it's a place full of memories for Daichi-san and Riku-san as well, I feel like I shouldn't get too carried away just because we're alone.
…Not that I planned to do anything like that from the start. It's just… yes, just playing moderately in the river.
Supporting each other on the rough path, we safely reached what seemed to be our destination. The water itself seemed to spring from further up, but the path got steeper from here, so we decided to compromise with the spot before it.
"What do you think? It's beautiful, right? I don't really recommend drinking it raw since it's spring water, but they used to draw it for drinking in the old days."
"Oh. Then, I guess it's okay to get a little wet."
As Umi said, it looked crystal clear and very beautiful. I had a drink with me, so it wasn't a problem, but today was as muggy as ever, and if I hadn't been prepared, I might have given in to temptation. After checking the water temperature with my hand, I moved to a place where the current was relatively calm and slowly sat down on a large nearby rock, soaking only my feet.
The cool water of the gentle stream felt good on my body, which had gotten hot from the journey.
"Phew… The current is a little concerning, but other than that, it's a nice and quiet place."
"Huh? You're saying it's great because no one will notice if you play tricks on me, thanks to the sound of the flowing water?" she teased.
"My statement was 100% fabricated."
I wish she would at least quote a little from the original text. That said, now that I've finally settled down, I do have a desire to flirt with Umi just a little. Noticing my gaze, Umi wrapped her arms around mine with a mischievous smile.
"Hey, Maki."
"Y-Yes?"
"Do you want your reward?"
"…"
"Do you want it?" she pressed.
"…Yes, I want to see you in your swimsuit, Umi."
"Ehh~ I wonder~ Mfufu."
Even though she's already fully prepared, she says such cunning things to draw out more of my honest feelings. I was kicked out of the room just before we left the inn, so I have a hunch that she's already wearing her swimsuit under her clothes.
"Alright then, quick quiz before that. If you get it right, I'll let you see as much as you want, just as you wish."
"Umi, you're being a little meaner than usual today… So, what's the quiz?"
"Yeah. Um, you see──" Umi pressed even closer, whispering in a ticklish voice, "──Which swimsuit am I wearing today, "this one or that one"?"
"…You weren't just a little mean, you were quite mean."
The swimsuit we just bought the other day was supposed to be for next time… so if I think about it normally, there's only one answer.
"Umi, did you, by any chance, bring the one from the other day?"
"If I say that, there's no point in the quiz. Come on, which one?"
"Ehh… umm."
Maybe she's wearing the bolder swimsuit.
During our swimsuit shopping, I did say, 'I don't want other people to see you in it too much,' but in the end, it's Umi's freedom to decide what to do. Also, the condition 'it's okay if we're alone' is currently met. Umi is playing with me as she pleases, but that's just how captivated I am by her right now.
"──────"
When I whispered the answer in Umi's ear, she giggled softly.
"…Pervert. You were hoping for it, weren't you?"
"No, I just thought maybe… So what's the answer?"
"Jeez, don't be in such a hurry. I'll show you properly."
As she said that, Umi slowly took off her short-sleeved hoodie and the T-shirt underneath, revealing the correct answer. The moment I saw her, I puffed out my cheeks in a clear display of my feelings.
"…Umi~"
"Ehehe, sorry. Didn't live up to your expectations."
The swimsuit Umi was wearing was, as she had been saying, the one she seemed to have chosen last year. The top and bottom were separate, revealing her navel, but her chest was properly covered, and the bottom was shaped like hot pants. Indeed, compared to the 'battle swimsuit' from the other day (or so I should call it), it exposed a more modest amount of skin. Both parts were adorned with frills, making it very cute.
So, as a result of being toyed with by Umi, I got the quiz wrong. However, I did get to see her in a swimsuit, so I did receive my reward. When I think about it that way, it's kind of mean, kind of gentle… I don't know if she's aware of it herself, but I think Umi has plenty of talent for being a little devil.
Of course, only in front of me.
"Come on, Maki! We came all this way, so come over here. It's shallower than I thought, so we can't swim, but we can cool off."
"Yeah. Okay, I'll change too, so wait a minute."
Quickly taking off my clothes and changing into my swimsuit, I immediately went to Umi.
"Maki, be careful, the footing is slippery around here."
"Eh, really? There are stones, but they're all round and there's no moss or anything, so it's totally──Wapuh."
The moment I looked down, water splashed right in my face.
"…Umi~"
"Nihihi, you get fooled so easily, Maki. You're too gullible."
"Sorry about that… Well then, here's one back at you."
"Whoa, oops. Hehe, you're too naive. You're ten years too early to beat me with that."
Walking through the clear river stream, we played like children, splashing water at each other, sometimes hugging, tickling each other's sensitive spots, and thoroughly enjoying our private summer time. It might not be that different from what we did in the open-air bath yesterday, but with Umi, I'm sure it would be fun and exciting no matter how many times we repeat it. Just having the person I love next to me turns a quiet place into a lively one in an instant.
"Ah, Maki. Look, over there. Little crabs."
"Yeah. A few of them are crossing. A family, maybe?"
"Maybe. Goodness, even crabs have a proper household, and yet my big bro…"
"Getting dissed in a conversation about crabs… Poor Riku-san…"
I'm supposed to be terrible at talking to people one-on-one, but with Umi, the words just flow out. Even if I joke around or say something tactless, she'll respond properly, so I don't have to be afraid to speak.
Talking is fun.
I'm sure it's not bad to enjoy the scenery quietly by myself, but for me right now, the time I spend with Umi has become a more irreplaceable experience.
After that, we observed the creatures in the water, splashed each other again, took a little break… and by the time we realized it, the sky was slightly darker than it had been at lunchtime.
"It's almost four o'clock… Umi, it's a little early, but we've played enough. Shall we head back to the inn?"
"Yeah. Oh, before that, why don't we go to town one more time? We're leaving tomorrow morning, so I want to get souvenirs for Yuu and the others, and I want to stop by grandma's place one more time."
"Come to think of it… sorry, I was so absorbed in playing that I forgot about souvenirs."
"Jeez, Maki, you're hopeless… The shops will close if we stay here, so let's get changed quickly. Oh, just so you know…"
"I-It's fine. I won't peek at you changing or anything."
"Ehh~ really~? …Just kidding, ehehe."
Joking aside, we quickly dried ourselves with the towels we brought and slipped into our change of clothes. It would be a lie to say I wasn't aware of Umi changing behind a nearby bush, but I'm a gentleman right now. I won't do anything to trouble her.
…As for the mixed bath and the swimsuit, Umi gave me proper permission, so that's that.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Fufu, you're a good boy for listening to me."
"Am I a dog…? Well, in a way, I guess I'm similar."
On the way back, we walked down the path together, snuggled close, to where our bikes were. Even though I had locked them, I thought someone might have taken them… but they were waiting quietly for their riders to return.
"Maki, grandma's house is closer from here, so let's go there first. It's to the left at the bottom of the hill. You'll see it if you follow the road from there."
"Mm. Roger."
The way back was downhill, so we glided along without pedaling. The occasional breeze blowing through my half-dry hair felt pleasant. After a few minutes of briskly riding, the tiled roof of Mizore-san's house came into view. According to Umi, the relatives who had gathered should be starting to leave around this time, so we probably wouldn't be too much of a bother. Besides, I couldn't help with anything in the end, so I'd like to at least help with the cleanup.
However, just as we went down the shortcut stairs and came to the back of the house…
"......!"
"────!"
I couldn't make out the words, but I could hear what sounded like an argument coming from inside.
"…Sounds like there's some commotion," I said.
"Yeah. It's too loud for just a random noise… Also, I thought I heard big bro's voice. I'm not sure about the other person though."
"Riku-san's?"
"Probably. Let's go check it out, for now."
Shizuku-san brought over a case of beer yesterday, so did some alcohol-related trouble occur…? I parked my bike by the gate, and just as Umi put her hand on the door to the entrance…
"──Rikkun, wait!"
"Shizuku, sorry. I'm going to go cool my head for a bit."
After that exchange, Riku-san burst out in front of us as the door opened. Thanks to me noticing Shizuku-san's voice and instinctively stepping back, Umi didn't collide with him, and I managed to support the stumbling Umi from behind. We avoided any trouble, but if the timing had been worse, someone could have gotten hurt.
"Whoa… Big bro, suddenly jumping out like that is dange──"
"Umi, huh… My bad."
"Eh?"
Before Umi could complain, Riku-san ran away from us… no, more accurately, he disappeared towards the back of the house, as if to avoid Shizuku-san who was behind him.
"Rikkun, wait. Rikkun!"
A little later, Shizuku-san came out. Perhaps she had been asked to help, as she was still in her waitress uniform, not her delivery outfit from yesterday.
"Shizuku-san, did something happen?"
"Umi-chan, Maehara-kun… Um, I'll explain later, so for now, could you please help grandma and the others? The main room is a bit of a mess."
Perhaps because her kimono made it difficult to run, Shizuku-san moved with small steps, chasing after Riku-san. It seemed there was some kind of fight, and from the looks of it, one of the parties involved was Riku-san.
"Maki, I'll handle things at the house, so can you go after big bro? He's probably gonna be more honest with you than with me."
"Got it. I'll go with Riku-san later, so tell Sora-san and Mizore-san that."
We fist-bumped and parted ways. I went after Riku-san and Shizuku-san, and Umi went to help Sora-san and Mizore-san with the cleanup. The fact that trouble had occurred was one thing, but what was more surprising was that the mild-mannered Riku-san was involved. I saw his face when he passed by, but he didn't seem to have been drinking, and there was no smell of alcohol, so I want to believe he wasn't the one who started it.
Shizuku-san and Riku-san were near the stairs at the end of the narrow alley we had just passed through.
"Rikkun, why did you do that…? I'm used to it from work, so I'm fine even if they say things like that."
"But it doesn't change the fact that you didn't like it, right? Even if he's an old man who only knows the countryside, there's a line you don't cross."
"Rikkun…"
"…Sorry. I tried to hold it in, but before I knew it, I'd thrown a punch. Looks like I've become someone impatient while I haven't been working. Good grief, a high school kid is still better than this."
I don't know the details, of course, but it seems one of the relatives who had gathered for family business (and was drunk) said something rude to Shizuku-san, which caused a fight… That's probably the gist of it. Riku-san, who threw the punch, is also at fault, but the one who said something to hurt Shizuku-san in the first place has a big problem.
Words are also blades that hurt people's hearts. The excuse of being drunk doesn't fly. If someone had said something similar to Umi, I wouldn't have stayed silent either.
"…Fufu."
"W-What is it, Shizuku, suddenly laughing like that?"
"Sorry, sorry. But, it just reminds me that Rikkun is still Rikkun. You haven't changed since you were little. You're big, kind, clumsy, but you always care about me… honestly, I felt a little refreshed when you punched that pervy old man."
"Is that okay? He's still a customer, isn't he?"
"Maybe in the old days, but times have changed. We don't need customers who are fine with sexual harassment and customer harassment."
"I see… Well, but I should probably go apologize. He's still a grandma and dad's relative, after all."
"Yeah. We're adults, after all."
With the initial bad atmosphere, I was worried their relationship would become strained, but since his actions were out of concern for Shizuku-san, that seems to have been a needless worry.
Maybe Mizore-san sent Umi back to the inn early because she considered that possibility… When I think that far, I start to feel angry at 'that kind of person' too. How can someone become so rude after living for so long? Good people, bad people, hopeless people… There are all sorts of adults.
"More importantly, Rikkun, do you remember this place? Around the stairs… the season's the complete opposite now, though."
"Well, somewhat. But, it's better not to talk about that now… Look, there's someone eavesdropping a little behind you."
"I was talking with that in mind, you know? It's all in the past now. Right, Maehara-kun?"
"…Uh, well, yes."
I was hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to come out, but it seems they were both aware of me. Becoming one with the shadows was supposed to be my specialty as a loner… but maybe I've developed a bit of a presence from spending time with Umi. Resigning myself, I stepped out in front of them, and Riku-san scratched his head embarrassedly.
"Maki, do you, by any chance… know? What happened between me and Shizuku."
"Um… yes. With what happened with Reiji-kun yesterday, it just came up. I told Umi too."
"You told that idiot too…? Well, it's not like I mind. It's the truth, and now it's like a good memory."
"…Yeah. That's right."
They said that as if to emphasize it, as if to convince themselves and the 'child' in front of them—me. I understand what they want to say. I understand their feelings. They still have feelings for each other, however faint. But they can't keep dragging it on forever. They are no longer children. They are full-fledged adults who will soon turn thirty
They have both grown up during the long time they haven't seen each other.
The time when just liking each other was enough is long past. So, this story is over, it's a thing of the past… or so they say.
"Hey, Rikkun. If you'd like, why don't we go for a drink after I finish work? A friend of mine from high school runs an izakaya nearby. Of course, just enough so it won't affect your driving tomorrow."
"If it's just that much… But, are you sure? You have work early tomorrow, and besides, Reiji-kun…"
"It's fine. I have work tomorrow, but I'm scheduled for the afternoon, and I'll ask my mom to look after Reiji. It's a reunion of childhood friends after a long time, so I'm sure she'll approve."
"I see. Then, your mom, about that time…"
"…Yeah, she knows. I cried a lot after I got home that day."
"…Sorry."
"Don't worry about it. But that's exactly why we should talk properly. I want to know what 'Riku-kun' was thinking back then, and also… I want you to know what I've been doing these past ten years… including my failures."
With their departure set for tomorrow morning, Shizuku-san seemed to have steeled her resolve to confess everything to Riku-san. To confess, and then, to completely turn the memories into things of the past, and to put a period to her feelings for him.
"…Alright. Then, contact me when you're done with work. My number's the same as the one I wrote down when I checked in."
"Okay. Oh, Rikkun, are you on social media? Since we're at it, let's connect there too."
"Ah… well, we can talk about that over drinks. Well then, Maki, that's how it is, so tell Umi for me."
"Roger. Then, Umi and I will go to bed first."
After telling him that just the two of us would be fine for dinner, Riku-san composed himself and, taking me and Shizuku-san with him, returned to Mizore-san and the others to apologize for the earlier fight.
The first person to greet us was Umi.
"…Welcome back, big bro."
"I-I'm back. Um, where are Mom and the others?"
"Cleaning up the beer and other things that were spilled on the floor… Also, grandma Mizore kicked out that uncle a little while ago, saying 'Don't ever come back'."
"Got it… Umi, sorry."
"It's fine. Well, we're family, even like this. But if you have time to apologize to me, go to those two already. Come on, hurry."
"Ah, yeah."
Pushed on the back by a hurrying Umi, Riku-san disappeared into the main room where Sora-san and Mizore-san were waiting. Even if they usually bicker, in times like these, they really are siblings. I'm an only child, but seeing Umi and Riku-san makes me a little envious.
"Aside from big bro, are you okay, Shizuku-san? I heard a little about what happened from Mom, but did he touch you anywhere weird?"
"He touched my butt and thigh a little, but he didn't grope me or anything, so I'm fine. If anything, I'm disappointed I couldn't beat him up myself. Ah jeez, now that I think about it, I'm starting to get really frustrated. I feel like chasing after him right now and burning the rest of the hair on his bald head with the spare gas burner in the car to give him permanent hair removal."
"That's a great idea. Then I'll follow up with a knee to the face from a mounted position to destroy his face too. I wish all the pervy old men in this world would just disappear. Hey, Maki, you think so too, right?"
"Yeah, well… I guess so."
They're probably just joking, but it's scary because for a fleeting moment, I think I see a serious look on their smiling faces.
…I'm really glad I'm Umi's boyfriend. If not, I would have been destroyed to the point of not retaining my human form by now.
After that, we chatted casually for a few minutes, mainly with Umi and Shizuku-san. Riku-san, who had apparently finished his apology, returned. He was holding paper bags full of fruits and sweets in both hands, as if he were going on an errand.
"…I'm back."
"Rikkun, did you apologize properly to grandma?"
"Of course… That said, I have to go around and apologize to the other relatives I caused trouble for, so you guys head back first."
"No way. I caused trouble too, so I'll go with you, Rikkun…"
"No, grandma said 'go alone'. Besides, you have work until tonight, right, Shizuku? If you hang around with me, you'll run out of time to go for drinks."
"Now that you mention it… Then, I'll pay for tonight's drinks. As a thank you for protecting me earlier. Okay? It's okay, right?"
"You don't have to be so forceful… Well, if you want to treat me, do as you please."
"Yeah. I'll do as I please… Well then, take care, Rikkun."
"Yeah… I'm off."
Sent off by Shizuku-san, who had regained her powerful demeanor from when we first met, Riku-san drove off. I wondered what would happen, but for now, it doesn't seem like it will become a big deal.
"…That idiot. Shizuku-san is calling him 'Rikkun,' so he should just call her 'Shii-chan' back," Umi muttered.
"Right? But he's been shy since he was little. It's nice that he shows it through his actions, but I'd give him a hundred points if he'd express it with words sometimes," Shizuku-san added.
"Totally. Maki, are you listening properly?"
"…Yes, I am studying diligently."
I'm trying my best to put my feelings into words as much as possible, but somehow my shyness gets in the way, and I tend to clam up at important moments. It may seem like things are going well between Umi and me, but the reality is that Umi is just accepting my immature self with a generous heart, and I'm far from the perfect score Shizuku-san mentioned.
Becoming a couple isn't the end. I believe we have to keep conveying our feelings to each other to maintain our 'love'.
…So that we don't end up like Riku-san and Shizuku-san.
After saying our greetings and thanks to Mizore-san and Sora-san, we finished our errands and returned to our accommodation, 'Shimizu'. We were held up by the earlier incident, so we didn't have much time to choose souvenirs carefully, but we managed to get enough for everyone, so let's call it mission accomplished. Manju that you could find at any tourist spot, and a mysterious keychain with a yurukyara-like vibe. A questionable choice, but I'm sure Amami-san will be happy.
"Umi, let's take a quick bath before dinner. I'm a little sweaty from playing so much today."
"Yeah. Then, shall we finally wash each other today?"
"N-No, we won't. Besides, there are other guests today, so we can't."
"Fufu, just kidding~… But, what about when we get home?"
"......"
"Silent treatment? Hey, confess honestly~"
Honestly, I want to, but if we were to take a bath together in my small bathtub at home… an inappropriate scene flashes through my mind, so for now, I'll try to dodge the question (though I feel like I failed).
While being toyed with by the little-devil-mode Umi, we somehow managed to separate into our respective large baths. The open-air bath was being cleaned for the switch from the men's to the women's time slot, and the entrance was properly locked. So as not to disturb the other guests too much, I slowly soaked in a corner of the large bathtub.
"…Phew."
I splashed the hot spring water on my face and looked up at the ceiling. The trip, which was fun in its own way, was over in a flash. By tomorrow afternoon, we'll be back home and back to our usual daily routine.
I tend to forget because I have so much fun with Umi, but as soon as the long weekend is over, it will be July. The first semester's final exams are just around the corner, and since I've set a goal of being in the same class as Umi next year, I can't neglect my exam preparations. Once the exams are over, summer vacation will finally begin in earnest… but before that, the summer tournament preliminaries for Nozomu's baseball club will start, and July 7th, Tanabata, is also Amami-san's birthday. And in August, during summer vacation, is my birthday too.
Studying, playing, celebrating with important friends—it's going to get even busier from now on. If I space out for a bit, summer vacation will fly by, and then it will be autumn. The season when Umi and I became 'friends' will come again. That's probably what our future plans will look like for now.
"…I wonder what those two will do."
Perhaps because of what happened earlier, I can't help but think about it. I don't know if it's because of our meddling, but for now, Riku-san and Shizuku-san are supposed to be honestly confessing everything to each other over drinks tonight. About Shizuku-san's marriage and divorce, and Riku-san's life after he rejected her confession… even the delicate parts that can only be discussed when they're alone.
I wondered what they would do, but in the end, it will almost certainly settle into the conclusion everyone is thinking of. It's a decision made by two grown adults after calmly considering their current positions. In that case, there's no room for me, a child and an outsider, to interfere.
…I know that, but.
"I guess I'll get out for now."
Thinking about such things in circles quickly made me feel dizzy, and I left the large bath earlier than usual. I quickly changed into the yukata and sat down on the massage chair in the rest area. While waiting for Umi, I was thinking of slowly cooling my dizzy head when…
"! Hey, Maki, you're already out?"
"Umi… you're also quite a bit earlier than usual, aren't you? You usually take your time more."
"That's true… While I was spacing out thinking about big bro and Shizuku-san, I somehow felt like I got dizzy in a flash."
"I see. Then, you're just like me."
"You too, Maki? Goodness, we're two peas in a pod, aren't we? It seems your meddlesome nature has completely rubbed off on me from being with you."
Knowing we felt the same way, our eyes met and we burst out laughing at the same time. It felt like our hearts were connected even when we were apart, and I was relieved once again.
"Hey, Maki."
"Yeah."
"We'll be together forever, right?"
"…Yeah. I wrote it on the photostrip the other day. We'll be together forever."
"Hehe, thanks. That's right, we made that promise, didn't we?"
Reassured by my words, Umi's expression softened into a gentle smile, and she buried her face in my chest as she hugged me. It's usual for her to become clingy like this sometimes, but it's usually when she's anxious about something. Because Umi is a worrier, she might have applied the atmosphere between Riku-san and Shizuku-san to us and imagined things.
To reassure the meek Umi, I hugged her tighter than ever before.
"…It's okay, Umi. No matter what happens, I'll never leave your side."
"Yeah. Thanks, Maki… It's the first time I've seen important people become like that up close."
"I'm not used to it either. I thought I had come to terms with my dad and mom, but they still appear in my dreams sometimes."
Even if I think I've overcome it, it doesn't mean it becomes a good memory. I'm sure I still need a little more time.
"…Umi, let's sleep together tonight."
"Okay… but you mean, in the same futon, right?"
"Yeah. It might be a little cramped and hot… Ah, of course, just sleeping close together. I definitely won't touch you or do anything lewd like that."
"Really? But when we sleep together, your lower half usually gets hard──"
"Th-That's a physiological phenomenon, so it doesn't count."
I thought I had been careful to hide it well during our naps, but it seems that was also obvious.
…I really can't win against Umi.
"A-Anyway, I'll ask them to prepare three futons just like yesterday, and I'll get into yours when we go to sleep."
"Yeah… Thanks for everything, Maki."
"Thank you too, Umi, for always letting me be clingy. It really helps."
With other guests around, we kept our public displays of affection moderate and returned to our room. Inside, Shizuku-san was just preparing our dinner.
"Welcome back, you two. I've put the rice in this container, so help yourselves to seconds. Someone else will come to collect the dishes later."
"Understood… Shizuku-san, are you going to the shop now?"
"Yeah. I have Riku-kun waiting in the lobby, so I have to get changed and go quickly."
Leaving with a 'see you later', Shizuku-san quickly left the room. We don't know when they'll be back, but by the time we wake up, everything will probably be settled. It's frustrating, but if it's a conclusion they reached after a proper discussion, both Umi and I will accept it.
We had a delicious dinner just like yesterday, and after that, we had a small party with the snacks and drinks we had bought beforehand. Then, Umi and I went to bed without waiting for Riku-san to return. We intended to stay up until he came back, but once the clock passed midnight, we were too tired from the day to keep our eyes open. After not forgetting to brush our teeth and go to the bathroom after our late-night snack, we returned to the bedroom, where Umi, who was waiting for me, patted the spot next to her.
"…Maki, come here."
"Yeah. Um, excuse me…"
I turned off the room lights and, as told, slipped into the futon, and Umi snuggled up against me.
In response, I wrapped my arms around Umi's body and pulled her into my embrace.
"Ehehe… It's been a while since we've slept together like this. Not since that time before Christmas, right?"
"Yeah. This position might be the most calming after all."
Sleeping with two futons side by side while holding hands is nice too, but I personally like this form the best, where I can feel Umi's presence the closest. The faint sweet scent, the rustling black hair that occasionally tickles my nose, her faint breaths, her smooth white skin, and the soft feel of her body… it's one of the happiest moments of being with Umi. When I open my eyes, her cute face is right in front of me, looking at me with drowsy eyes.
"…Umi, aren't you going to sleep?"
"I'll sleep right after you, Maki."
"Then, what if I pretend to be asleep?"
"Fufu, too bad. I can tell right away from the sound of your heart… By the way, it's beating just a little faster than usual right now."
"Eh, what, that's amazing… Well, then I'll be off first."
I can't control the sound of my heart, so I gave up and closed my eyes, slowly letting my consciousness drift away. I'm aware of Umi's gaze, which should be watching me from close by, but right now I feel completely relaxed, having entrusted my entire being to my beloved girlfriend, so it doesn't significantly hinder my sleep. I'm happy to be able to spend the night with Umi like this, both yesterday and today──just as I was about to fall into a pleasant sleep thinking that…
──Poke, poke.
"…Nn."
A few minutes later, feeling a light poke on my cheek, I faintly opened my eyelids. Then, naturally, right in front of me was Umi with a sleepy face.
"Umi, what's wrong?"
"Nfufu. I was just checking if you were asleep yet, Maki."
"I was just about to. You're sleepy too, right? We have to get up early tomorrow, so let's sleep together."
"Yeah."
Hugging Umi again, I closed my eyelids once more. Listening to Umi's faint breaths, I thought the day was finally coming to an end──but then,
──Poke, poke.
"......"
──Poke, poke, poke, poke.
"…Umi~"
"Ehehe."
I'm sleepy, but being poked like this is distracting. Unable to stand the intermittent poking attack, I opened my eyes to find a mischievous Umi laughing right next to me.
"Umi, are you not sleepy yet?"
"No, I'm pretty sleepy. But it feels like a waste to just fall asleep."
"You were the one who taught me that staying up late is bad for you, Umi."
"One day is fine. See? Maki, let's try to be as sleepy as possible together, okay?"
"I'm pretty much at my limit already… Well, I feel the same way about it being a waste, so I guess we can chat a little longer."
"Fufun, I won't let you sleep tonight."
"You're so energetic even though you're sleepy, Umi… Well, since we're at it, I'll stay with you all the way today."
"That's what I'm talking about. That's my boyfriend."
"You're welcome."
And so, our second night of chatting went into overtime, as I went along with my cute girlfriend who suddenly becomes mischievous in front of me. We've already talked about almost everything related to the trip, so now we're talking about trivial things like games and manga, just like we usually do at home, but because it's a different place and a different situation, even though the content is the same, it feels very fresh.
This might be one of the good things about traveling. Well, in my case, as long as Umi is next to me, anything is probably fine.
I don't remember much about what happened after that, but it seems we both reached our limits while chatting and playing around, and Umi and I fell into a quiet sleep, nestled against each other. The futon is clean and comfortable, and the air conditioning is working well, so it's not too hot even when we're close together. If we weren't scheduled to go home tomorrow, we'd probably be sleeping soundly until around noon.
…It seems this trip isn't going to be that free.
──Maki, Maki.
"Ugh… Mmm…"
Hearing someone call my name, I faintly opened my eyelids. The surroundings are slightly bright, so it must be around dawn. I turned over and looked towards the source of the voice calling me.
"Riku-san, is that you…?"
"Yeah. Sorry, Maki. I'm back."
"Welcome back… You were out all night, it seems."
"Yeah. I didn't drink since I have to drive, but Shizuku did a little. I just dropped her off with her mom and came back now."
Looking at my phone, it was around five in the morning──Shizuku-san left the inn around eight last night, so their drinking session must have been quite lively… mainly on Shizuku-san's part. Coming home in the morning with a young child isn't something to be praised, but they must have talked properly and come to a clear understanding.
…However, despite that, the Riku-san I see before me has a more bitter expression than yesterday. It's a little mean, but it's probably better to ask clearly here.
"…So, what's wrong? Waking me up this early in the morning… It's not even time for checkout, let alone breakfast. Was it that bad that Umi and I were sleeping together?"
"No, you guys can do whatever you want with that… That's not it, it's that I have something to talk to you about…"
"This early in the morning?"
"…Sorry. But I really wanted to talk. With just the two of us."
"With me? Not Umi?"
"Yeah. If she's here, things are probably gonna get noisy."
Seeing Riku-san's expression, it seems this is going to be a complicated conversation. I rubbed my eyelids and cleared my blurry vision before looking at Riku-san's face. It was the face of someone who was lost. He was looking down, his gaze shifting left and right to avoid my face, and his cheeks were slightly red. Riku-san said he didn't drink, so if it's not because of the alcohol… that would only mean…
"Maki, um… I need your advice."
"Advice… Specifically?"
"Well, um…"
Hesitantly, Riku-san confessed to me honestly.
"Relationship advice… I guess."
"…I see."
I knew something had happened the moment he woke only me up. In his one-on-one conversation with Shizuku-san, something must have shaken Riku-san's heart, reigniting a feeling he thought he had forgotten. And in that case, there isn't much time. Checkout from 'Shimizu' is scheduled for nine in the morning──which meant Riku-san has to sort out his feelings within four hours or so.
Will he make a calm decision as an adult, or will he honestly convey his feelings to the other person?
Which way should I push Riku-san's back?